Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today directed officials to achieve clearly defined economic objectives for a cashless economy within a specified timeframe, emphasizing the transition as a critical tool for improving governance and significantly reducing corruption.
Chairing a meeting on the nation’s digital transformation, the Prime Minister stated that the ongoing efforts to move towards a digital payment system are vital for the country”s sustainable economic development.
He highlighted the necessity of aligning Pakistan with global trends as the world rapidly moves towards a digital economy. The Prime Minister stressed that awareness needs to be raised, particularly in rural areas, to fully transition and eliminate the informal economy.
During the meeting, officials briefed the Prime Minister on the progress of several digital initiatives. It was reported that billions of rupees in utility payments for electricity and gas are now being processed through digital systems using QR codes.
Further updates included the integration of Islamabad”s government services mobile application with the Raast payment system. The issuance of new business licenses is also now conditioned on the use of digital payments, and QR codes have been implemented at retail stores to facilitate easy transactions.
The Prime Minister noted that steps taken to transform Pakistan into a digital nation are yielding positive results, citing the historic distribution of Benazir Income Support Program funds to beneficiaries via digital wallets during Ramadan as a key achievement.
It was also reported that financial inclusion has reached sixty-eight percent of the country”s population. In response, the Prime Minister directed that this coverage be expanded further to encompass more citizens.